Compact Passive Control Tool

ABSTRACT

A passive control tool may include a ball, a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the ball, a weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle and having ribbing around its circumference, an arm trap adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base, a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap may be used to trap an appendage of a human subject, and a nerve point nub protruding from the hook that may press directly on the human subject to cause compliance. The passive control tool has an overall length from the ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and is a continuation of, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/749,581, entitled “COMPACT PASSIVE CONTROL TOOL”, filed on Jan. 24, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a passive control tool, and more particularly to an compact passive control tool.

RELATED PATENT AND PATENT APPLICATION

This application generally relates to U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,283, which issued on Feb. 27, 1996, now expired, which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/122,206, filed Sep. 16, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND

Police as well as other peacekeeping or security personnel lack a compact device that they can carry at their side for use in self-defense and/or for control as needed. While nightsticks have been available, they are not always suitable for striking and blocking and their rectangular shape may include sharp edges that can cut into a subject's skin or fracture bone. More recent batons have begun to improve upon these deficiencies but still are lacking a compact size and means to use while employing less force than, for example, a gun.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a passive control tool comprising a substantially spherical ball, a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the substantially spherical ball, a weapon trap having ribbing around its circumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle, an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base, a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the arm trap in the direction of the handle such that the hook may be positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap may be used to trap an appendage of a human subject, and a nerve point nub protruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, wherein the nerve point nub may press directly on the human subject to cause compliance. The weapon trap may be a secondary arm trap. The passive control tool may have an overall length from the substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches. The passive control tool may have a width of approximately 7.5 inches. The passive control tool may have a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximately one inch. The nerve point nub may be approximately 3/16 of an inch in size. The passive control tool may be constructed from glass-reinforced urethane or from urethane. The passive control tool may be collapsible.

The nerve point nub may press directly on the nerves of the human subject when the passive control tool may be hooked on the upper arm of the human subject and pressure may be applied. The nerve point nub may press against the arm of the human subject when the passive control tool may be hooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure may be applied. The nerve point nub also may press directly onto the human subject's shinbone when the passive control tool may be hooked on the lower portion of the human subject's leg.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a compact passive control tool comprising a substantially spherical ball, a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the substantially spherical ball, a weapon trap having ribbing around its circumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle, an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base, a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the arm trap in the direction of the handle such that the hook may be positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap may be used to trap an appendage of a human subject, and a nerve point nub protruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, wherein the nerve point nub may press directly on the human subject to cause compliance, wherein the passive control tool has an overall length from the substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches. The nerve point nub may be approximately 3/16 of an inch in size. The passive control tool may have a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximately one inch. The nerve point nub may press directly on the nerves of the human subject when the passive control tool may be hooked on the upper arm of the human subject and pressure may be applied. The nerve point nub may press against the arm of the human subject when the passive control tool may be hooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure may be applied. The nerve point nub also may press directly onto the human subject's shinbone when the passive control tool may be hooked on the lower portion of the human subject's leg. The passive control tool may be collapsible. The passive control tool may be formed through a single 2-cavity mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a passive control tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts usage of the passive control tool of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 depicts a portrait view of the passive control tool of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts passive control tool 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Passive control tool 10 may include ball 101 that may be substantially spherical on the order of approximately 1-½ inches in diameter and may be used to apply pressure to certain pressure points of a human subject. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, ball 101 may be used for jabbing when passive control tool 10 is in an inverted position. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, ball 101 may be used for functions including but not limited to breaking glass, jabbing a human subject's sternum or solar plexus, or jabbing the gut of a human subject, such as for riot control purposes. Ball 101 also may act as a stopping point to prevent passive control tool 10 from being extracted from the user's hand, such as in a circumstance where a human subject may attempt to pull on a portion of passive control tool 10 when it is being manipulated by a user.

Passive control tool 10 may include handle 102 that may be connected to ball 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Handle 102 may be considered the primary place on passive control tool 10 where the tool may be held for purposes including but not limited to striking, setting the tool, as well as for two-handed blocking Handle 102 may include gripping material to provide additional traction or support for the user's hand(s) when he/she may manipulate passive control tool 10.

Handle 102 may be affixed to weapon trap 103 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Weapon trap 103 may be utilized to trap a weapon that may be swung at a user of passive control tool 10 and may cause the weapon to recoil itself When a weapon is trapped via weapon trap 103, this may provide the user with sufficient time to make a motion using passive control tool 10 to extract the weapon from a human subject's hand while locking the human subject within passive control tool 10. Weapon trap 103 also may function as a secondary arm trap. If the human subject's wrist or arm is trapped within arm trap 104 but starts to slip out, weapon trap 103 may help keep the human subject from completely evading passive control tool 10. Weapon trap 103 may act as a secondary pressure point by applying pressure to the human subject in an area below where arm trap 104 may have begun the initial contact. Weapon trap 103 may include ribbing around its circumference as depicted in FIG. 1 to further strengthen passive control tool 10 and make it less likely that tool 10 may shatter when it comes in contact with a human subject's weapon, a portion of the human subject's body, and/or other surfaces (such as the ground) during use.

Striking base 107 may be connected to weapon trap 103 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Striking base 107 may be used when passive control tool 10 may be swung or used as a baton. Striking base 107 may be used for striking insofar as the majority of the weight of passive control tool 10 may be positioned behind striking base 107 when passive control tool 10 is in use for such a purpose.

Arm trap 104 may be formed as a crook connected adjacent to hook 106 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Arm trap 104 may be used to trap an appendage of a human subject. When passive control tool 10 is twisted, arm trap 104 may prevent the human subject from turning his/her arm down. Arm trap 104 also may be used to apply pressure into bone pressure regions of a human subject's arm, leg, biceps, or other appendage(s) that may be trapped within passive control tool 10. Arm trap 104 also may serve as a beginning apex for hook 106 when hook 106 may be used as a handle of passive control tool 10 in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Hook 106 may act as a guide to lead passive control tool 10 around whatever appendage of a human subject is to be trapped. The end of hook 106 may be tapered slightly to enhance its function as a guide according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Hook 106 also may be used for one-handed blocks because the line of force created by the energy required to hold passive control tool 10 by handle 102 during a block may cause passive control tool 10 to turn in the hand of the user. However, a gripping point placed behind the line of force of an attack may allow all of the energy to be disbursed throughout passive control tool 10 and may place the holding point of tool 10 such that tool 10 may not turn in the hands of the user when struck. Hook 106 also may act as a handle for use of tool 10 during two-handed blocking according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Passive control tool 10 also may include nerve point nub 105 that may be positioned to protrude from hook 106 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted more clearly in FIG. 3, nerve point nub portion 105 a may protrude from a top portion of hook 106 and nerve point nub portion 105 b may protrude from a bottom portion of hook 106. Nerve point nub 105 (105 a and 105 b collectively) may be positioned closer to arm trap 104 than to the end portion of hook 106 located away from arm trap 104. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present disclosure, nerve point nub 105 may have the same dimensions for the protrusion from the top portion of hook 106 as well as for the protrusion from the bottom portion. However, it should be appreciated that there may be other embodiments wherein nerve point nub 105 may have greater dimensions (length or width) when it protrudes from the top portion as compared to the protrusion from the bottom portion or vice versa.

It should be appreciated that slip-resistant padding may be incorporated into handle 102, hook 106 or both components according to embodiments of the present disclosure. This padding may include but is not limited to rubber, neoprene or other similar materials. Use of such slip-resistant padding may provide a more secure grip of tool 10 and may further buffer impacts to the user of tool 10, such as when tool 10 may be used for blocking or striking

In embodiments of the present disclosure, passive control tool 10 may be formed of a material including but not limited to glass reinforced urethane, polycarbonate, or another similar substantially rigid material. It should be appreciated that the ratio of glass to urethane should be such that it creates a glass reinforced urethane material.

Passive control tool 10 may be considered compact and less bulky in size as compared to previously known nightsticks or other crosshandle batons. As such, it may be more easily used, for example, by peace officers engaging in private security wherein the peace officers may not have a vehicle to store weapons not easily carried or allowed to be carried on their person. A passive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure also may be used in scenarios wherein a user may desire to conceal the passive control tool so that he/she may surprise a human subject if an issue suddenly arises.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, passive control tool 10 may measure approximately 16.5 inches in length from ball 101 to striking base 107, and may measure approximately 7.5 inches in width. Passive control tool 10 may be circular in cross-section with a diameter of approximately 1 inch. Such a diameter may provide an easy grip within a user's hand. It should be appreciated that the cross-section may be substantially circular to minimize the number of sharp edges that may cut or bruise a human subject's skin or fracture bone during use of passive control tool 10. A nerve point nub may measure approximately 3/16 of an inch in size when protruding from the hook of a passive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts passive control tool 10 being held by a user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When passive control tool 10 is held by a user while standing directly behind a human subject, the user may approach the subject from the outside of the human subject's arm and hook passive control tool 10 under the human subject's armpit in order to obtain compliance. Passive control tool 10 may be used by grabbing hook 106 and/or ball 101 or handle 102 and flipping tool 10 to snare a human subject's weapon in weapon trap 103 or a human subject's appendage (such as arm) in arm trap 104. Passive control tool 10 may then be used to control the human subject by applying force to the human subject's appendages through tool 10. It also may allow control of the human subject with one arm once passive control tool 10 has been set. As a passive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure is substantially circular in cross section, this may prevent fracture or laceration of the subject while the passive control tool is being used on the human subject.

When passive control tool 10 is hooked on the upper arm of a subject and pressure is applied, nerve point nub 105 may press directly on the nerves of the human subject, thereby causing more immediate compliance. When passive control tool 10 is hooked on the upper portion of a human subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure is applied, nerve point nub 105 may press against the human subject's arm and make it more difficult for the human subject to slide his/her arm out of passive control tool 10. When passive control tool 10 is hooked on the lower portion of a human subject's leg, nerve point nub 105 may press directly onto the human subject's shinbone, also causing more immediate compliance.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a passive control tool may be used for one-handed blocking A user may grip the passive control tool with one arm and then use the tool to block a weapon wielded by a human subject. In this manner of blocking, the user's arm may be protected by the human subject's weapon because the user's arm may be positioned behind the body of the passive control tool.

A passive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure also may be used for two-handed blocking wherein a user may grip the hook of the passive control tool with one arm and then grip the handle with his/her other arm. In this method, the user may block a weapon wielded by a human subject while having both of his/her hands protected by the passive control tool.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be used to disarm a weapon wielded by a human subject. After performing a one-handed or two-handed block, the user may remove the weapon from the human subject's possession while also trapping the arm of the human subject in the arm trap of the passive control tool.

A passive control tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure also may be used to extract a human subject who does not want to move. For example, a user may hold the passive control tool by the hook and/or the ball or a handle and then set the arm trap underneath the human subject's arm. The user may twist the passive control tool and apply pressure into the human subject's arm to encourage the human subject to move with the user. The passive control tool also may be used to catch the leg of a human subject that may be trying to kick. For example, the passive control tool may be held by its handle and/or its hook to catch the human subject's leg. Once the leg has been caught, the user may twist the passive control tool and apply pressure into the leg of the human subject to exert control. This technique also may be used to control a human subject that may be holding onto a stationary object or may be fighting with another person.

In further embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be used for a one-handed wristlock of a human subject. The passive control tool also may be used to set the tool and pull a human subject to the ground using a twisting motion. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be used to hook a human subject from behind and then escort the human subject with one arm wherein the ball of the passive control tool may be positioned under the user's arm. A user also may escort a human subject by applying pressure to the bicep of the human subject by twisting the passive control tool.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may place the passive control tool in a holster that may include a belt loop and a retention strap. The belt loop may be worn around the waist of a user, and the passive control tool may be worn in the holster with the hook of the tool facing forward. The user may then easily retrieve the tool from the holster in a single motion using only one hand to do so. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be formed so that it may be collapsible. In certain embodiments, the passive control tool may be disassembled into various parts that may then be snapped or otherwise fastened together when time for use. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be formed such that it may be collapsed while the components of the passive control tool remain connected to one another. A collapsible passive control tool may then be stored within a holster or other carrier when not in use. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the collapsible passive control tool may be small enough in size when collapsed so that it may fit into a user's pocket.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for formation of the passive control tool through a single 2-cavity mold. However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the passive control tool may be formed in parts so that the separate components may be connected to one another and then later collapsed so that the passive control tool may fit in compact spaces or may even become pocket-sized according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

1. A passive control tool comprising: a substantially spherical ball; a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the substantially spherical ball; a weapon trap having ribbing around its circumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle; an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base; a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the arm trap in the direction of the handle such that the hook is positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap can be used to trap an appendage of a human subject; and a nerve point nub protruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, wherein the nerve point nub presses directly on the human subject to cause compliance.
 2. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool has an overall length from the substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches.
 3. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximately one inch.
 4. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub is approximately 3/16 of an inch in size.
 5. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool is constructed from glass-reinforced urethane.
 6. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool is constructed from urethane.
 7. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool has a width of approximately 7.5 inches.
 8. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the weapon trap is a secondary arm trap.
 9. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly on the nerves of the human subject when the passive control tool is hooked on the upper arm of the human subject and pressure is applied.
 10. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub presses against the arm of the human subject when the passive control tool is hooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure is applied.
 11. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly onto the human subject's shinbone when the passive control tool is hooked on the lower portion of the human subject's leg.
 12. The passive control tool of claim 1 wherein the passive control tool is formed in parts to be collapsible.
 13. A compact passive control tool comprising: a substantially spherical ball; a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the substantially spherical ball; a weapon trap having ribbing around its circumference, the weapon trap coupled to the second end of the handle; an arm trap formed as a crook adjacent to weapon trap and having a striking base; a hook having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hook coupled to the arm trap, the hook extending from the arm trap in the direction of the handle such that the hook is positioned opposite the weapon trap at a width such that the arm trap can be used to trap an appendage of a human subject; and a nerve point nub protruding from a top portion and a bottom portion of the hook, wherein the nerve point nub presses directly on the human subject to cause compliance, wherein the passive control tool has an overall length from the substantially spherical ball to the striking base of approximately 16.5 inches and a width of approximately 7.5 inches.
 14. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the passive control tool is formed in parts to be collapsible.
 15. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the nerve point nub is approximately 3/16 of an inch in size.
 16. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly on the nerves of the human subject when the passive control tool is hooked on the upper arm of the human subject and pressure is applied.
 17. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the nerve point nub presses against the arm of the human subject when the passive control tool is hooked on the upper portion of the human subject's arm between the elbow and shoulder and torque pressure is applied.
 18. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the nerve point nub presses directly onto the human subject's shinbone when the passive control tool is hooked on the lower portion of the human subject's leg.
 19. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the passive control tool has a substantially circular cross-section with a diameter of approximately one inch.
 20. The compact passive control tool of claim 13 wherein the passive control tool is formed through a single 2-cavity mold. 